Anthony Pigati’s Blog

We are one of the few offices that close short sales on a weekly basis. We have worked with all the major Banks and with a variety of financial situations. Call us now for a FREE consultation to see if we can assist you in your real estate needs. We understand that you and your family are important and we will do our best to preserve your future.

Anthony Pigati
925.777.0530
Lic #01252162

Check out this fabulous Martinez cottage home….

http://www.postlets.com/realestate/mini_385.php?pid=3510381

or

http://client.rw.imprev.net/20/420/9461/9461.ipv

Here is our markets current Active, Pending & Solds (Since Jan 2010) numbers for 2010 thus far! If you have any questions on trends or specific neighborhoods give me a call and I would be glad to help you with any of your real estate needs.

Pittsburg:

Active Listings-157
Pending Sales-365
Closed sales (Solds)-137
Average Sales Price: $159,990

Antioch:

Active Listings-248
Pending Sales-593
Closed sales (Solds)-218
Average Sales Price: $138,745

Oakley:

Active Listings-135
Pending Sales-255
Closed sales (Solds)-78
Average Sales Price: $225,475

Brentwood:

Active Listings-159
Pending Sales-358
Closed sales (Solds)-137
Average Sales Price: $243,896

Please visit my website at www.PIGATI.com for more information on current listings or solds!

Anthony Pigati
Direct-925.777.0530

Homeowners filing for the home buyer tax credit are not allowed to use electronic filing and must file hard copies due to special documentation requirements.

Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deployed new home buyer tax credit forms and instructions requiring forms that will force taxpayers to file on paper, rather than electronically.

Read the whole article here:
 http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100225_…

I have never thought that this would be an issue but I guess the banking world is looking to minimize their risk. Read the full article here:
 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg…

Hot off the Press & Just In!!

A home in Antioch, Oakley & Brentwood on average recieved almost $7,000 over their asking price with the largest amout being $65,000 from June to July 2009! This is out of about 270 closed transactions.  I believe this number will increase as well as list prices over the next year.  Our current inventory is to low and the demand will shift the market shortly.  Even if the banks releases some of the foreclosures that are currently on hold it wont be enough to satisfy the amount of buyers flooding into the market.  The current buyers are made up of primarily home owners, some being first timers.  Contrary to what some may think the amount of investors is significantly less compared to people purchasing as a primary residence.

I talk to several people a day that ask me how I keep in contact with my family, friends & clients every day? I mention tools like facebook, blogging and twitter.  They all seem to have questions on how it works.   In this blog I want to let the power of video do the work for me.  Here is a quick 5 minute video that explains what the latest web sensation “Twitter” is about.  Click on the link below>>>>

 What is Twitter?

This is a misconception that I hear a lot. I guess the best answer is it depends. Here are some pros and cons to help people understand some of the key elements of condo ownership as it may apply to your situation:

Pros:
-You have a homeowners group to help you maintain and watch over the community
-Very little maintenance
-Generally lower price point
-Community amenities like a pool, spa, recreation room or playground
-When markets are HOT so are Condos!
-Condo association usually carries its own fire policy

Cons:
-Poorly run condo associations can lead to emergency assessments or very high association dues
-When markets are down so are condos!
-Depending on the layout you may have several neighboring walls or floors
-Generally no-to little yard
-Not a lot of storage or work space
-Most of the time no garage
-Restrictive rules by the association

Antioch
Closed Homes from 02/01/2005-04/13/2005- 402 HOMES
Closed Homes from 02/01/2009-04/13/2009- 512 HOMES

Brentwood
Closed Homes from 02/01/2005-04/13/2005- 218 HOMES
Closed Homes from 02/01/2009-04/13/2009- 198 HOMES

Oakley
Closed Homes from 02/01/2005-04/13/2005- 103 HOMES
Closed Homes from 02/01/2009-04/13/2009- 160 HOMES

Both can be good deals but on average if the listing agent can get the approval from the bank to sell the house short of what is owed then most often it is at a discounted price, even below market in most cases. The downfall of course is the wait time and uncertainty that the deal goes through and gets accepted. Some bank owned homes are great buys as well and if negotiated right you can be moving in within weeks.